Few days ago, I installed Windows 8.1 RTM like a starved tech child. I also managed to activate it with my previous upgrade key. All fine and dandy.

All I see is a fake Start button, few customizations of themes and some better reorganization of newer control panel.

But 90% desktop users request goes ignored. That is Modern apps on Desktop Taskbar. Ability to freely resize them to my liking. Have a better multi tasking that has been familiar to me since time immemorial.

As a result I have still not been able to adapt to modern apps. I don't use them as desktop based apps are so much superior with better multi tasking.

Windows Image based system recovery has been removed from GUI. Now I have to pass some obscure DOS based commands. To me Microsoft is fixing what ain't broken.

I also did not like the blatantly desperate attempt to display "you can download apps from our app store" in biggest font possible at post install.

All this makes me feel that Microsoft is getting more and more arrogant and then they backtrack due to public backlash.

Nah. This is just my opinion mind you, and note that I'm not bothering with 8.1 until it's officially released and the dust has settled a bit. That said, I'm not a fan of trying to shoehorn the modern apps into a desktop workflow, that goes counter to what they were designed for to begin with, namely a consistent setup between desktops and tablets, that was the whole point. If you think traditional forms based applications are superior (and I'm among that group) then why would you even worry about it if you're not going to use it anyway? It's just another layer on the desktop, one that's completely optional. Stay with regular form based software, optionally throw on a start menu replacement if you want, go about your business as before. Takes all of 10 seconds to do and you'll have a desktop that's more to your liking. It's just an out-of-the-box setup that's easily changed, the OS is still flexible to where you can get it how you want it.

Microsoft losing it would be completely removing compatibility with almost 20 years of software and making it essentially Windows RT on the desktop. Then I'll be on the "f'k Microsoft" bandwagon, but until then, meh. I get what they're doing but it's not for me, click click done, back to my classic setup.

Ever since, well, forever, there's always been stuff on every desktop ever made that people don't like and gets replaced/changed by something else. This isn't specific to Windows either, I can name things I've added/changed/removed on pretty much any desktop OS out there. I've yet to find that "perfect" desktop that didn't need a bit of tweaking or help.

Fun fact: Windows Blue RTM has yellow as default wallpaper.

I don't get that yellow wallpaper.. the defaults are usually fairly calm, but that one for some reason feels like "angry wallpaper". I dunno, but /shrug fun fact, click click gone.

i guess you didnt get the memo that rtm is not the finished version of 8.1

I guess you didn't get the memo that any changes between RTM and General Availability will be mere bug fixes. RTM is feature-complete.

Going by the 8.1 preview and all of the information I've seen about RTM Windows 8.1 is only a minor improvement over the half-assed product Windows 8 was. Shoehorning two entirely different UX paradigms into one product. I could use it, I just prefer not to.

While our partners are preparing these exciting new devices we will continue to work closely with them as we put the finishing touches on Windows 8.1 to ensure a quality experience at general availability on October 18th

I guess you didn't get the memo that any changes between RTM and General Availability will be mere bug fixes. RTM is feature-complete.

Going by the 8.1 preview and all of the information I've seen about RTM Windows 8.1 is only a minor improvement over the half-assed product Windows 8 was. Shoehorning two entirely different UX paradigms into one product. I could use it, I just prefer not to.

Let's see what Windows 8.2 or 9 will bring to the table.

honestly don't even try to apply logic, some posters here are immune to that sort of thing

I said it when 8 was released and i`ll say it again, the main reason (imo) that Microsoft has taken this approach with their new operating system is to get some exposure/income from the pay for app market. They have seen how much Apple and Google are making from their relevant stores and wanted to get in on the action.

The`re not losing it per se, but they could probably have done the transition better...

8.1 seems like it`s pretty much 8 with some extra customization tools available and refined a bit more!

I said it when 8 was released and i`ll say it again, the main reason (imo) that Microsoft has taken this approach with their new operating system is to get some exposure/income from the pay for app market. They have seen how much Apple and Google are making from their relevant stores and wanted to get in on the action.

The`re not losing it per se, but they could probably have done the transition better...

8.1 seems like it`s pretty much 8 with some extra customization tools available and refined a bit more!

Get ready for plenty of :argue:

I don't think specifically they want income from the app market at this point. They don't want to lose a stake in the tablet/mobile market to Apple and Google. So they have to conform and produce something that will compete. The revenue will come down the road.

They didn't, I mean, take a look at the stats, in August, Windows 8 growth with 2% (exclusive the 0.24% of Windows 8.1, they are counted sepparate), so the market believes in it. Anyway, Windows 8.1 is fine as it is. I like it realy much, both desktop as tablet. If you don't want to use metro apps on your desktop, just don't use them... Install Windows Mail or whatever mailclient you use and move on.

@Raa - It's just a guess from him, we do know Windows 8.1 has been RTM'ed, but we don't know if it is feature-ready, it could be yes like you said, or no like he said. If Windows 8.1 will hit GA without new features compared to RTM, we actualy still don't know if it is feature ready unless Microsoft makes that statement. It can happen that they take an update cycle as used for Xbox and Windows Phone, that we will see small improvements now and then with just a buildnumber change.